Outer Driver's side CV Boot Replacement

[loba]

So my driver's (left) side front CV joint decided to blow the outer boot. It's a recent tear and there's VERY little debris in there so I was planning on just replacing the boot. The problem is, I don't have the foggiest how to take off the outer CV. anyone have any ideas (preferably with pictures). I don't see any C clips or retainers or anything.

Thanks.

 

[snailspool]

What i did is place my outer axle in a vice, then hit the carrier bearing with a mallet(like i was trying to separate them <----->. came out after 5-10 medium hits. We dont know what rust is down here though.
EDIT: i realized your just looking to replace the boot not the whole cv. Ive done what your doing before, but i used a split boot kit.

 

[loba]

I've read split boots are bad news and a PITA to work with.

Any one with some insight for me?

 

[Kalisko]

I basically took off my wheel, ball joints, and the axle nut with an impact wrench (or with a ratchet with the wheels on the ground) and pulled the axle out of the wheel assembly. Then the cv joint should pop out with a snug pull or two with a rubber mallet or something

Here's a video link for more descriptions on how to get into that area and basically what you'll be looking at.

How to replace a CV joint | Wonder How To

 

[loba]

I realized I misworded. I have the axle OFF, but I cant figure out how to take it apart to install the new boot.

 

[Kalisko]

I think you can just pull it apart if the clamps are off. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Can you peel the boot back and see the hard socket underneath? If you can, put it in a vice locked and pull it out. Then pull the old boot off, put the new one on,grease it up,pop it back together, and clamp it back down with the clips.

 

[loba]

So here's the deal. I got the boot off and took a look. This is the OUTER DRIVER'S SIDE, the one with the intermediate shaft that bolts onto the block.

I looked in and I see the steel balls and all that, but I don't see a clip or any way for it to come off.

 

[Kalisko]

Okay I think I am getting confused. are you talking about this boot?

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[VanIsleDSM]

There's nothing holding it together except for the boot. Just cut the CV boot clamps off, pull the old boot off, clean it all out really well, grease it up, throw on new boot, tighten clamps.

 

[loba]

Kalisko: exactly. The outer CV boot on the drivers side.

VanIsleDSM: That's all well and good except it's not a split boot. The end of the CV joint HAS TO come off for the new boot to go on.

 

[Kalisko]

I think he's saying to cut the old boot, pop off the joint, then put the new boot on,Grease it up, then put the new joint on. Then clamp it

I have a spare axle in my garage. I'll pop it apart and tell you exactly how I did it. I'll be home in 3.5 hours. This is if nobody else can help

 

[VanIsleDSM]

Loba I've never used a split boot before so that's definitely not what I'm talking about. You only use that option if you're trying a quick cheap repair with the axle still in the car.

I really don't understand any of the confusion here though, unless I'm not getting exactly what you're talking about. I'll go into a little more detail..

On an OEM axle there's a green cup that the larger end of the boot clamps too, then there's the axle shaft with the tripod bearings on the end that sit inside the green cup filled with grease. Just cut the clamp on the large end of the boot and the boot+axle shaft+ tripod gears will pull out/off of the green cup. Then there is a C-clip holding the tripod bearings to the end of the axle shaft, remove the C-clip and take off the bearings. Clean everything really well and then slide the small end of the new boot onto the axle shaft, then put the tripod bearings back on the end with the C-clip, then grease it all up, put it together, and clamp the clamps.

Dive in, it's super easy, just really messy.

Edit: I thought you were having trouble getting the 2 pieces of the axle apart.. only the boot holds that, I missed where you said that you have the boot off. To remove the tripod bearings you need to remove the C-clip, there's one right on the end that stops the bearings from coming off the splines.

 

[loba]

Van - that's for the INSIDE boot. I need to replace the OUTER boot. The tripod is on the inside, the outer boot has the six balls or so.

 

[VanIsleDSM]

Oh my bad, in that case you just have to smack it off..

 

[loba]

Really? That's it? Big rubber mallet?

 

[VanIsleDSM]

Ya I've done it before but it was so long ago.. I think I used a wooden drift and hit it right on the race, I think that's the only place you're supposed to hit it.

 

[loba]

I'll give that a try when I get a chance. So to get it back on you just take a hammer the other way?

 

[loba]

Tried the hammer to no avail. I guess I'll have to take it to my moms house where I have access to a vice to take some harder hits.

So just a piece of wood and a good size hammer?